Celebrity chef Nick Nairn compelled to shut his showcase restaurant
Celebrity chef Nick Nairn has become the latest victim of the cost of living crisis after announcing the closure of one of his Scottish restaurants.
The high-profile chef revealed he is shutting his popular Bridge of Allan venue, saying it is no ‘longer viable’.
Mr Nairn ran the restaurant with wife Julia after opening in 2019. But just two years later the bistro suffered a fire which was caused by a faulty piece of equipment.
The couple then faced further trouble last year when the newly renovated Nick’s restaurant was targeted by vandals ahead of its reopening.
Mr Nairn claimed the incidents and the cost of living crisis ‘created the perfect storm’.
High-profile celebrity chef Nick Nairn has announced he is closing his popular Bridge of Allan restaurant, saying it is no ‘longer viable’
Pictured: The Bridge of Allan restaurant on fire in August 2021. The fire as well as the cost of living crisis had created a ‘perfect storm’, Mr Nairn said
In a statement he said: ‘Many in the hospitality industry continue to struggle and recover post-Covid.
‘For Nairn’s, the added trauma of a fire and a prolonged closure period, coupled with our return to business in the midst of the cost of living crisis, has created the perfect storm.
‘Additionally, in 2019 and pre-Covid, we entered into a management agreement with a third party, when hospitality was still buoyant. Sadly, what was once reasonable is now unaffordable, all of these factors mean the business is no longer viable.’
The announcement comes just a week after the restaurant was advertising bookings for its end of season barbeque, where it was offering ‘house made venison burgers’ and ‘posh dogs’.
At hearing the news of the closure, customers took to social media to express their disappointment and to wish him well.
Customers said they were ‘absolutely gutted’ at the closure, describing the food as a ‘delicious’ and ‘affordable treat’
One said: ‘Absolutely gutted you’ve closed. Loved the end of summer bbq last Saturday. We will get booked in for the cook school soon. Best of luck.’
Other customers said the restaurant brought some ‘excitement to the Bridge of Allan area’ and described the food as a ‘delicious’ and ‘affordable treat’.
One said: ‘We so enjoyed eating at Nairns, the food and wines were always delicious. Also enjoyed the friendliness and caring attitude of the management and staff.’
The couples’ other restaurant, Nick’s at Port of Menteith, remains open, alongside Nick Nairn Cook School, the kitchen garden and retail space.
It is understood that some of the staff from the Bridge of Allan restaurant, which closed earlier this week, will transfer to Port of Menteith.
